Reel apparatus



Aug. 21, 1962 sHlGETsUNE IIKURA 3,050,270

REEL. APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug 21, 1962sHlGETsUNE HKURA 3,050,270

REEL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /nf/EHUF S yefsuneIain??? y M fv 5- United States Patent tlice aoslazm Patented Aug. 21,1962 3,050,270 REEL APPARATUS Shigetsune Iikura, Tokyo, Japan, assignorto Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, a corporation of Japan Filed Sept.16, 1959, Ser. No. 840,282 4 Claims. (Cl. 242-71.8)

This invention relates to a reel apparatus and more particularly to sucha reel or reel apparatus for taking up or supplying a carrier such as amovie film or a magnetic recording tape.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copendingapplication US. Serial No. 782,769, iiled December 24, 1958. v

In the copending U.S. Serial No. 782,769, I have proposed a reelapparatus which is disposed with a certain inclination or depressionangle with respect to the vertical plane so that the taking-up or supplyof a carrier such as a movie ilm or a magnetic recording tape can easilybe attained without rewinding. This invention intends to obtain animproved reel apparatus in connection with that disclosed irl thecopending application.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved reel apparatus inwhich a carrier can be easily picked out through a window formed on aside plate of the reel and supplied naturally to -a cooperating reelwithout giving any appreciable torsion of the carrier and without guiderollers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple reel in which anendless carrier can be drawn out from the inside of the reel through awindow formed on a side plate of the reel and supplied again to theoutside of the same reel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reel apparatus inwhich a user of the reel apparatus can easily operate the supply andtake up of an ordinary iilm of a usual movie projector and of a magnetictape of a usual magnetic recorder without any special accessory.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be moreapparent from the following detailed description talien in connectionwith the accompanying which a reel apparatus according to this inventionis applied;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the movie projector shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a side View ofthe movie projector shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a front View of a reel embodying this invention;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional side view of the reel taken along the line V-Vof FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram of a reel according to this inventionillustrating the relationship between a shape of a window and thecarrier supplying direction therethrough;

FIGURE 7 is a diagram for illustrating the inclination or depressionAangle and the torsional angle of a reel according to this invention;

FIGURE S shows a plan view of a magnetic tape recorder to which a reelaccording to this invention is applied;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional side view of a modied construction of a reelaccording to this invention;

FIGURE 10 shows a front view of another type of a movie projector towhich a reel is applied according to this invention.

Referring to FIGURES l, 2 and 3 of the drawing, 1 represents generally amovie projector. 2 designates a lens system. 3 is a loop of lm in frontof a lens, 4 a

supply reel and 5 a take up reel, 6 and 6 are sprocket Wheels and 7 amovie iilrn or a carrier.

In accordance with this invention at least one of said reels, forexample the upper reel 4 is constructed specially as shown in FIGURES 4and 5. That is, the reel 4 has a pair of oppositely disposed side plates8 and 9 for restricting the side edges of the carrier 7 and a pluralityof rollers 10 arranged on a concentric circle c between the side platesso that the carrier 7 is Wound on the outer sides ofthe rollers.

In order to pick out the inner end 7 of the carrier 7 which is Woundinside the reel a window 12 is formed on at least one of the side platesalong substantially the travel direction of the carrier. v

At the inner end of the window 12 is mounted a carrie holder 13 whichhas a mouth to be opened to the outside of the side plate so that theinner end 7 of the carrier 7 is transversely put into the carrier holder13. The carrier holder 13 is made by bending a resilient band such as athin plate made ot plastics or metal plate in the form ofl U-shape,which U-shaped piece, in turn, is put into a slit 15 communicated to theinner end of the win-V dow I2, one end of the U-shaped piece beingsecured to the inner side edge of the slit by means of a screw 16 andthe other end of the U-shaped piece being free so as to close its mouthnaturally owing to its resilience.

The inner free end of the carrier is transversely caught by the mouthformed by the both ends of the U-shaped piece. It is preferable that theinner walls of the mouth of the carrier holder are made of rough surfaceso that the end of the carrier is accurately engaged with the roughsurfaces.

The window 12 may have a width large enough to insert lingers to pick upthe end of the carrier but the width may be lesser than this, ifdesired.

The carrier holder is not always constructed as shown in the drawing,but any desired construction can be used.

It is preferable that the Window 12 is extended to the direction towhich the carrier 7 is picked up. That is, in the case of a supply reelof a movie projector, a lilm is usually supplied from the right handwith respect to the central aperture 18 as shown by the full line 'arrowa, in FIGURE 6, so that the window 12 is preferably formed along thesupply direction of the film, while in the case of a supply reel of amagnetic recorder, a tape is usually supplied from the lleft hand withrespect to the central aperture 18 as shown by the dotted line arrow bso that the window 12 is preferably formed along the supply direction ofthe tape.

It is, therefore, apparent that a reel having both the windows 12 and 12can be used as a combined -lrn supply and tape supply reel.

In accordance with this invention, means for setting a reel areprovided, in such a way that the reel is, disposed on the YY-plane byinclining it by a desired depression angle 0 with respect to a verticalXX-plane and fixed at the position rotated by torsional angle ia fromthe YY-plane along the supply direction of the carrier, as

understood from FIGURES 2 to 7, inclusive. In an example shown inFIGURES 1 to 5, inclusive,VV Vespecially as clearly shown in FIGURES 4and 5, besides that therside plates 8 and 9,01' the reel haverespectively central apertures 18 and 18' which are aligned with eachother for receiving a shaft 17', the side plate 8 is provided with anaperture 19 which is positioned displaced from the central aperture 18by the distance d1 on the vertical line 0 0 passing through the centralaperture, from and above the central aperture 18, and the side plate 9is provided with another aperture 19 which is displaced from the centralaperture 18 by the distance d2 being shorter than the distance d1, fromthe central aperture and displaced by the distance d3, from the line--0. It will be noted that the difference between the distances d1and'dz enables to incline the reel by the depression, angle 0 and thedistance d3 affords the torsional angle a to the reel.

The reelrshoWn in FIGURES 1 to 3, inclusive, is disposed with suchdepression angle 0 and torsional angle a. It will be understood that thereel is adapted to supply the carrier downwardly owing to the depressionangle 0 and along the direction of the arrow a leftwardly owing to thetorsional angle a, as shown in FIGURE 3, whereby the carrier or the lmof the movie projector can be supplied from the insideY of the reeltoward the left and downward direction without any appreciable torsion.

NOW I will explain the operation of the reel or reel apparatus accordingto this invention applied to a movie projector. The inner end 7 of afihn is picked up and drawn out by fingers through the window 12 of theupper'supply reel 4. In this case the iilm 7 can be supplied with thedepression angle 0 and the torsionalangle a from the reel 4 to the lowertake up reel 5. Accordingly, it will be noted in this case that the reel4 almost stands still and a series of rollers 10 is rotated with themovement of the carrier 7 and that the travel of the iilm 7 from reels 4to 5 Will be accurately and smoothly performed without any torsion whichwill have been Yencountered in an ordinary reel apparatus in case of thelack of an adequate guide roller arrangement. It will also be noted thatthe lower reel is set perpendicularly by engaging the axis 20 with thecentral apertures 13 and 18 which are aligned with eachother and theiilm is Wound freely and smoothly on the lower reel 5 from its outside.Then the inner end of the wound iilm is pulled out by fingers throughthe window 12 and put transversely into the mouth of the carrier holderor clip as shown i and illustratedY in FIGURE 4. Thereafter the tilrn iscontinuously taken up onto the outer sides of the rollersl() so as topile layers spirally thereon, as an ordinary reel.

Now, 'the take up'reel 5 thus operated is set on lthe axis 17 Vwith thedepression angle 0 and the torsional angle a instead of the reel 4, thenthe, iilm is pulled out and then fed from the reel 4 to another reel setonthe lower axis 20 in substantially the same manner hereinbeforedescribed so that the iilm is used vfor reprojection without repeatingrewinding.

The supply operation of the film can be smoothlyv done withoutresistance owing to the roller arrangement 10..

Moreover, it will be recognized that the film also travels VWithout'damage 'between supply and take up reels. Be-V sides, according to thisinvention since the reel can be set with the depression angle 0 and thetorsional angle a by means ofthe discrepant apertures 19 and 19 the pull*out operation of the iilm can be done more easily and Vsmoothly withless torsion of the carrier as compared.

with a reel which is disposed only with the depression angle. The loweredge of the side plate V9 ofV an inclined reel touches Ywith thesupporting parts of the movie projector and lthe -reelris supportedatits best position to the supply action owing to the discrepantaperture 19 and 19 so thatV the reel is controlled by the brake actionofthe contact and by stabilizing action of the status of the best Yposition so Vas to restrain swinging ofthe reel.

It Will be appreciated that a reel according to this invention can beused in the same manner as an ordinary* reel. It will also be'understoodthat anV ordinary reel which can be usedas the lower reel 5 may becooperated with therreel'4 according tothis invention.

4 cording to this invention in connection with an application for amovie projector, it will equally be adapted for the supply and take upof a magnetic tape used in a magnetic recorder.

VFIGURE 8 shows a magnetic recorder to which the reel apparatusaccording to this invention is adapted. 21 shows a generally magneticrecorder. reel, 5 is a take up reel. 22 illustratesV a magnetic headcover and 23 a magnetic tape. 2'4 designates guide rollers lof the tape.In this case although a panel 25 on which both the reels 4 and 5 areattached is disposed in the horizontal plane the supply reel 4 issupported at the status inclined towards the operator by a depressionangle'Y 0 and inwardly by a torsional angle a with respect to thehorizontal plane by inserting a vertical axis 26 to the eccentric anddiscrepant apertures 19 and 19. 'I'he inner end of the Vtape 23 ispulled out through the window 12 of the supply reel 4 and travels alongthe magnetic head 22 and Wound into the take up reel 5. In Vthis examplethe supply and take up operation of the magnetic tape will be easily andsmoothly performed owing to the `depression angle 0 and torsional anglea of the reel 4 even if the tape is pulled out from the center portionof the reel, as has been already hereinbefore referred to. After arecord is thus done, forexample, the reproducing can easily be completedb-y only changing the positions of the supply reel 4.and the take upreel 5, the magnetic tape being pickedup from the center portion of thereel which is now set as the supplyV side without rewind, as alreadyexplained. If the window is formed not only on the side plate 8 butalsoV on the opposite side plate 9 a second sound track of the samemagnetic -tape can be used for lboth recording and reproducing Y the useof only one reel according to this invention, as

has been described in connection with the movie projector.

The features and advantages of this invention which have been 'alreadyexplained in connection with a movie projector are equally'obtained inapplying to a magnetic recorder., v f

It will be understood that the means for aifording the depression angle9 and torsional angle a to the reel according to ,this invention can beembodied in various Y forms of modifications.Y For example, a pair ofinde-- Y a'reel, as'desired. 'Ihese discs can also be adjustably.V

pendent discs having respectively the central apertures 1S and 18' anddiscrepant apertures 19 and 19 is pro-Y vided and the discs can beattached to the side plates of attached to therside plates. FIGURE 9shows asectional lside View ofV a modified reel according to thisinventiorrA Y 1n Vwhich a pairof ring grooves 119 and 119 arerespectively .formed corresponding to,y thepositions of the apertures 19and19. on the Side plates and new corre- 119 and 119' when the parts arepressed by a user.

The side plates 8 and 9 are bridged byartube instead of forming theapertures 19 and 19 throughrwhich Van Y Y axis passes. The constructioncan be so madethat the angle of the tube with respectto the side platescaribe adjusted. It'will be also possible to attach such Vaftube on theouter side of one ofthe side plates so as to hold;

' a reel by inserting an axis to the tube.`

It will be noted that only one reel as shown in FIG- u surface of theVsame carrier which is wound on the sameV Y reel so that an endlessloperation can be continued.

I Although I have mainly explained the reel acl VIn some cases apair Vofdiscs having a tube corre-` f spending to the apertures 19 and 19'V mayadjustably be mounted to the side plates and the depression angle 0 andthe torsional angle ofV thefreel can `be changed asl Y desired, byadjusting the position of the discs.

Although the movie projector, the reel axis of' which isdirectedvral'ong the horizontal plane has been explained,V

desired depression angle 6 and Vtorsional angle a can also 4 is asupplyY be given to a reel if an axis 17 of a movie projector isconstructed to be rotated and then set at the desired rotated position,as shown in FIGURE 10.

It 'Will be understood that the depression angle H and the torsionalangle a can also be realized by inclining an axis bracket or a movieprojector itself.

Moreover, instead of a series of guide rollers 10, other forms ofrotating parts can be located on the inner side of the side plates orthe side plates themselves may be formed as the rotating parts.

It will be apparent that the contour and form of the reel side platesand the rotating parts can be adequately selected corresponding to thekind and character of the carrier to be used.

In operation each of the reels are mounted on a support shaft with theaxis of the reel coaxial with the axis of the support shaft when acarrier is to be Wound on the reel in a normal -manner with the layersof the carrier building up outwardly. This is shown, for example, by thelower reel receiving the carrier 7 and mounted on the projectors ofFIGURES 1 and 2, being mounted on a support shaft 20. The reels aremounted on a support shaft with their axis at an angle to the axis ofthe support shaft by a depression angle 6 and a torsional angle a asillustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3 by the reel 4 mounted on the supportshaft 17. The improved structural and functional features providedobtain smoother and more uniform winding and unwinding functions andprovide a reel which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture andmerchandise. The reel is simple and easy to use and is well adapted toalternative use for movie projectors or tape recorders or is adapted toother uses wherein the features of the invention may be utilized.

Thus it ywill be seen that I have provided an improved reel apparatuswhich meets the objectives and advantages hereinbefore set -forth andwhich provides improvements over reels of the types heretofore used.

The drawings and specification present-a detailed disclosure of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, and it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the specific forms disclosed, but coversall modications, changes and alternative constructions and methodsfalling within the scope of the principles taught by the invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. A reel comprising a pair of oppositely disposed side plates forrestricting the side edges of a carrier, said plates disposed at rightangles to a central first reel axis, at least one of said side platesbeing provided with a window positioned radially of the center of theplate and through which the inner end of the carrier wound on the reelcan be pulled out, first means on the plates for supporting the reel ona shaft coaxial with said irst axis, second means on the plates forsupporting the reel on a shaft on a second reel axis having an anglewith respect to said iirst reel axis, said second means being in aposition so that the reel is inclined by a desired depression angle withrespect to a vertical plane with said window facing downwardly and sothat the reel is rotated about a horizontal axis by a desired torsionalangle toward the direction in which the carrier is withdrawn from thereel when said second axis is horizontal.

2. A reel comprising a pair of oppositely disposed side plates forrestricting the side edges of the carrier, at least one of said sideplates being provided with a window positioned radially of the center ofthe plate and through which the inner end of the carrier Wound on thereel can be pulled out, central apertures in the side plates alignedwith each other and located on a first axis at right angles to theplates, one of said side plates having an aperture radially displaced ata certain distance from the central .aperture and the other of said sideplates having another aperture radially displaced from the centralaperture, said apertures being misaligned with respect to each other andbeing on a second axis extending at an angle to said rst axis with saidsecond axis positioned so that the reel is set in a depression anglewith respect to a vertical plane with the Window facing downwardly andis rotated about a horizontal axis by a torsional angle toward thepulled out direction of the carrier when a horizontal axis passesthrough the center of said apertures.

3. A reel comprising a pair of oppositely disposed side plates forrestricting the side edges of a carrier, said side plates lying inplanes perpendicular to a central axis of the reel, at least one of saidside plates being provided with a Window located radially of the axialcenter of the plate so that the inner end of the carrier Wound on thereel can be pulled through the window, and said side plates eachprovided With a shaft receiving aperture for mounting on a horizontalshaft, said apertures being misaligned with respect to each other to bepositioned on a second axis at an angle to the central axis of the reel,said apertures positioned so that the reel plates are at an angle with avertical plane at right angles to said second axis, said aperturespositioned so that the reel plates are in a plane tilted forwardly abouta vertical axis passing through said second axis, when the reel issupported on a horizontal shaft passing through said shaft receivingapertures.

4. A reel comprising a pair of oppositely disposed side plates forrestricting the side edges of a ilm, said side plates at right angles toa central rst axis of the reel, at least one of said side plates beingprovided with a window which is positioned radially of the center of theside plate and which has a width wide enough so that the inner end ofthe film Wound on the reel can be pulled out through the Window, andeach of said side plates provided with shaft receiving aperture means ofa size for supportingly receiving a shaft, each of which is misalignedwith respect to the other to be positioned on a second axis extending atan angle to said central axis, said aperture means located so that thereel is positioned at a depression angle tilted with respect to avertical plane at right angles to the second axis so that the windowfaces downwardly, and so that the reel is rotated about a horizontalaxis by a torsional angle in the direction in which the carrier iswithdrawn from the reel when said second axis is horizontal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,899,279 Lessler Feb. 28, 1933 '2,065,575 Gavin Dec. 29, 1936 2,213,613Sassoli Sept, 3, 1940 2,315,703 Hirschfeld Apr. 6, 1943 2,358,504Goldberg Sept. 19, 1944 2,540,897 Lindeman Feb. 6, 1951 2,640,659 Biltoet al. .lune 2, 1953 2,775,411 Tellen Dec. 25, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS182,565 Great Britain July 6, 1922

